Primates wield shotguns as they face off against humans in terrifying new stills from Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

What would happen if another species arose and fought for dominance of our planet?

The terrifying possibility is explored in the upcoming film Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes.

In new stills from the movie released Wednesday, primates are seen wielding guns and other weapons as they wage war against humans in the sequel to 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

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They're armed: Primates carry shotguns as they face off against humans in new stills from the upcoming film Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

Menacing: Andy Serkis returns to the role of genetically-altered chimp Caesar

Set over a
decade after the events in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the human
race is on the verge of extinction after a deadly virus and civil unrest
have all but wiped out mankind. In turn, a new breed of super-smart
apes have flourished, evolving in complex ways that have helped the new
simian civilization thrive.

Andy Serkis returns to the role of genetically-altered chimp Caesar, while Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke and Keri Russell join the franchise as major players in the new world order.

In addition to new humans to battle, Caesar will also find a love interest, played by Judy Greer.

Are they a match for the beast? A group of people, including Keri Russell, are seen holding weapons as they make their way through a misty forest

Out for blood: The apes look angry as they carry spears while storming the forest

Growing more powerful: An ape is seen standing on a rocky outcrop beside a burning flame

On the warpath: The apes has seen riding black horses and wielding in this terrifying scene

The pictures depict the apes growing more powerful as they prepare for battle.

In one shot, a chimp is seen holding a shotgun, a look of menace on his face.

In
another, a group of people, including actress Keri Russell, warily
proceed through a forest, holding up their guns as they appear to come
across a group of apes.

Cornered: Jason Clarke (right) plays Malcom, who is trying to make peace with Caesar (left)

Big responsibility: Gary Oldman plays the leader of the human resistance against in the apes in the film

Levity: And ape named Koba enjoys a relaxed moment with the humans, although the scene allegedly turns ugly

Empathy: In a touching scene, an ape is seen reaching out its hand to its fellow primate

In a recently released teaser clip of the film, a forest provides a
glimpse into the collapse of modern society, as a former highway and
gas station lay waste to new growth.

'We
have been through hell together,' says Oldman as he addresses a crowd.
'We spent four years, four years, fighting that virus, and then another
four fighting each other. It was chaos! But you all know what we're up
against.'

The two species view each other as a
threat to survival, creating an uneasy balance between the groups that
could easily dissolve into all-out war.

Prepare for battle: Caesar prepares for war in a recent teaser trailer for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Destroyed civilization: Humans are on the brink of destruction was society begins to collapse

A leader emerges: Gary Oldman addresses a crowd, hoping to inspire the masses to not give up

'The
apes story is a through-the-looking-glass way of looking at what we
are. By what's going on in the internal lives of the apes we are
exploring ourselves, our impulses, our society. So much is roiling
inside Caesar,' said the director.

'He has a rational side separate from the apes, they're all instinct. We are seeing how Caesar becomes this leader.'

Take me to your leader: 'I need...to speak...to Caesar!'

New chimp in town: Since his last appearance, Caesar has grown more powerful

On my mark! Caesar and his army ready for a possible man vs. ape battle

Gone from the sequel is James Franco, who played Will Rodman in the original reboot. After the departure of Rise of the Plant of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt in December 2012, Franco was grim about his chances of returning for the sequel.

'Now Rupert's not a part of it so I don't know,' said the actor. 'My guess is I won't be in it. Nobody's talked to me since Rupert left.'

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes opens in theaters on July 11, 2014.

Out of the picture: James Franco will not reprise his role from the first feature